Encouraging fun in the workplace
Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Making the workplace a fun environment can benefit a firm in many ways. However, people’s perception of what constitutes fun can vary considerably and give rise to tensions. Different types of fun are evident and employees differ in the way that they engage or not with them. For fun to have a positive impact in the workplace, managers need to address the paradoxes that emerge. Caution is needed when arranging formal fun events to avoid negative responses from employees who feel that fun is being imposed upon them. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.